CONMAR was proud to participate in Kieler Woche 2026 in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. As the world's largest sailing regatta and Northern Europe's biggest summer festival, Kieler Woche attracts around 3.3 million visitors and approximately 4,500 sailors from across the globe each year.
Beyond its renowned sailing competitions, Kieler Woche also serves as an important platform for the University of Kiel and regional research institutions to present their work to the public. The CONMAR team (Alexander Pechmann/ Global Climate Forum, Jörn Scharsack/ Thünen Institute, Eddie Maser/ UKSH, Jens Greinert, Samar Ensenbach and Daniela Henkel/ all GEOMAR) actively contributed to this outreach by co-organizing an information booth on marine munitions, participating in the Science Slam, and showcasing its research aboard the research vessel RV Alkor during the popular Open Ship event.
The information booth welcomed several distinguished political guests, including Schleswig-Holstein's Minister for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature, Tobias Goldschmidt, and the Mayor of Kiel, Samet Yılmaz. As part of the Science Slam on the "Secret Stage," organized by the Offener Kanal Kiel at the Kiel-Linie, CONMAR researchers delivered a series of engaging presentations on topics including:
- The Problem of Munitions in the Sea
- Underwater Explosions – A Threat to Marine Life
- Marine Munitions Becoming Artificial Reefs
- Hey, I Found a Bomb – Can I Keep It for a While?
The presentations attracted large audiences and sparked lively discussions about the environmental risks posed by legacy munitions in the sea. The Open Ship event aboard RV Alkor alone welcomed more than 1,300 visitors, providing a unique opportunity for the public to learn about marine munitions research and engage directly with CONMAR scientists. CONMAR's participation in Kieler Woche 2026 was a great success. The event provided an outstanding opportunity to raise awareness of the environmental challenges posed by marine munitions, foster dialogue with the public, and highlight the urgent need for continued research and action to address this pressing issue.
Daniela Henkel, GEOMAR
Photo credits left: Samar Ensenbach and Josefine Gottschalk/ GEOMAR; right: Photo credits Julia Gehringer/ GEOMAR
